System and Method of Analyzing Internet Protocol Television Content Credits Information

ABSTRACT

An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system is disclosed. The system includes a selector module that is adapted to select a content item based upon metadata information associated with the content item and send the content item to a first set-top box. The content is recorded and video information associated with the content item is analyzed using a video interpretation algorithm, and credits information associated with the content item is obtained from the set-top-box.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to an Internet protocoltelevision system, and more particularly relates to analyzing content onan Internet protocol television system.

BACKGROUND

An Internet protocol television (IPTV) service provider can transmit anIPTV signal to a user of the IPTV system via a central office, a servingarea interface, and a residential gateway. The IPTV service provider canoffer the user a variety of different content and services. For example,the IPTV service provider can supply users with real-time televisionprograms that are typically available for the users to watch only at aspecific date and time. The IPTV service providers can also offer theusers on-demand movies that are available for an extended amount of timeand that are provided to the users upon request of the on-demand movie.The user can also record audio or video content for storage in a digitalformat on the user's set-top box or on a data server on the IPTV system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn toscale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements areexaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporatingteachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respectto the drawings presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an IPTV network;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another embodiment of an IPTV network,including a data analyzing system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an IPTV network, similarto the IPTV network of FIG. 2, and including a recommendation system;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an IPTV network, similarto the IPTV network of FIG. 3, with a set-top box that includes arecommendation system;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a content analysis system;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a content analysissystem; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an illustrative embodiment of ageneral computer system.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will bedescribed with particular reference to the presently preferred exemplaryembodiments. However, it should be understood that this class ofembodiments provides only a few examples of the many advantageous usesof the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in thespecification of the present application do not necessarily delimit anyof the various claimed systems, methods or computer-readable media.Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but notto others.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an IPTV system 100 including a clientfacing (CF) tier 102, an application tier 104, an acquisition tier 106,an operations and management (OM) tier 108, and one or more sets ofclient equipment 110. Client equipment 110 is typically located at thehome or business premises of a subscriber to the IPTV system 100. IPTVsystem 100 includes an access network 192, a private network 194, and apublic network 196. Each tier 102, 104, 106, and 108 is coupled to oneor more of access network 192, private network 194, and public network196. In an embodiment, CF tier 102 is coupled to access network 192 andto private network 194, application tier 104 is coupled to privatenetwork 194 and to public network 196, acquisition tier 106 is coupledto private network 194 and to public network 196, and OM tier 108 iscoupled to public network 196. Client equipment 110 is coupled to accessnetwork 192.

Networks 192, 194 and 196 communicate information between tiers 102,104, 106, and 108, and client equipment 110. Access network 192communicates information between CF tier 102 and client equipment 110.Private network 194 communicates information between CF tier 102 andapplication tier 104, between application tier 104 and acquisition tier106, and between acquisition tier 106 and CF tier 102. Public network196 communicates information between application tier 104 andacquisition tier 106, between acquisition tier 106 and OM tier 108, andbetween OM tier 108 and application tier 104. Information is alsocommunicated directly between CF tier 102 and application tier 104, asdescribed below. The information communicated between tiers 102, 104,106, and 108, and client equipment 110 includes encoded televisionprograms, audio files, data files, commands, procedures, otherinformation, or any combination thereof.

CF tier 102 communicates with multiple sets of client equipment 110 overa wide geographic area, such as a regional area, a metropolitan area, aviewing area, or any other suitable geographic area that is supported byaccess network 192. Client equipment 110 includes a modem 112, a set-topbox 114, a display device 116, and a remote control 118. The set-top box114 includes a digital video recorder (DVR) 120 and a control module125. Modem 112 is coupled to access network 192, and translatesinformation from a form suitable for transmission over access network192 to a form suitable for use by set-top box 114, and vice versa. In anon-limiting example, modem 112 is coupled to access network 192 viafiber-optic cables, a digital subscriber line (DSL), another networkfabric, or any combination thereof.

The information that CF tier 102 communicates to modem 112 is sent toset-top box 114, which processes the information into a form suitablefor display by display device 116 or for recording by DVR 120. Set-topbox 114 receives digitally encoded content from CF tier 102 for displayon display device 116, or for recording by DVR 120. Set-top box 114 canalso receive data from CF tier 102, and render or display the data ondisplay device 116. Further, set-top box 114 can send data to CF tier102. Such data can include service requests, or commands from thesubscriber, received by set-top box 112 via remote control 118. In thisway, the subscriber can request services or information or respond to arequest for information from IPTV system 100. Control module 125includes instructions that are executable by set-top box 114 to controlthe data flow between the subscriber and IPTV system 100. Control module125 can include an IPTV software platform such as Microsoft® TV IPTVEdition.

Control module 125 can facilitate data communication between set-top box114 and IPTV system 100. For example, control module 125 can include aprocedure whereby set-top box 114 receives a request to record contenton DVR 120, or sends a status to IPTV system 100 that the content hasbeen recorded. Likewise, control module 125 can include a procedurewhereby the subscriber can interact with IPTV system 100 to receive andexecute a viewing preference that the subscriber has created in IPTVsystem 100. Such preferences can be created via remote control 118, orthrough a subscriber account that is accessible through public network196, such as through a subscriber's personal computer 198. Anon-limiting example of remote control 118 includes a hand-heldcontroller device, a game controller device, a keyboard/mouse device,another control device, or any combination thereof.

CF tier 102 includes a client-facing tier (CFT) switch 130, a dataserver 132, a terminal server 134, and a video-on-demand (VOD) server136. CFT switch 130 manages communication with client equipment 110through access network 192 and with application tier 104 and acquisitiontier 106 through private network 194. CFT switch 130 is coupled to dataserver 132 that stores data transmitted in response to subscriberrequests. CFT switch 130 is also coupled to terminal server 134 thatprovides terminal devices, such as a game application server, or otherdevices with a common connection point to private network 194. CFTswitch 130 is also coupled to VOD server 136.

Application tier 104 includes application tier (APP) switches 140 and141, an application server 142, an operation systems and support/billingsystems and support (OSS/BSS) server 144, a subscriber and system store145, a domain controller 146, and a client gateway 147. APP switches 140and 141 manage communication with CF tier 102 and acquisition tier 106through private network 194. APP switch 141 also manages communicationwith acquisition tier 106 and OM tier 108 through public network 196.APP switch 140 is coupled to APP switch 141. APP switch 140 is alsocoupled to application server 142 and to OSS/BSS gateway 144.Application server 142 provides applications to set-top box 114 througha set-top box application 143, so that set-top box 114 can providefunctions such as recording and displaying content, messaging, andprocessing of IPTV data and VOD material. OSS/BSS gateway 144 includesoperation systems and support (OSS) data, and billing systems andsupport (BSS) data.

APP switch 141 is coupled to domain controller 146 and to subscriber andsystem store 145. Domain controller 146 provides web access, forexample, to subscribers via public network 196. Subscriber and systemstore 145 includes account information that is associated withsubscribers who access IPTV system 100 via private network 194 or publicnetwork 196. Application tier 104 also communicates data directly to CFtier 102 through client gateway 147. In this embodiment, client gateway147 is coupled directly to CFT switch 130.

Client gateway 147 provides subscriber access to private network 194 andtiers coupled thereto. In particular, set-top box 114 accesses IPTVsystem 100 via access network 192 using information received from clientgateway 147. Access network 192 provides security for private network194. Client equipment 110 accesses client gateway 147 via access network192, and client gateway 147 allows client equipment 110 to accessprivate network 194 once client equipment 110 is authenticated orverified. Similarly, client gateway 147 prevents unauthorized clientequipment (not illustrated), such as hacker computers or stolen set-topbox devices, from accessing private network 194 by denying access tothese devices beyond access network 192.

For example, when set-top box device 114 accesses IPTV system 100 viaaccess network 192, client gateway 147 verifies subscriber informationby communicating with subscriber and system store 145 via privatenetwork 194, APP switch 140, and APP switch 141. Further, client gateway147 verifies billing information and status by communicating withOSS/BSS gateway 144 via private network 194 and APP switch 140. OSS/BSSgateway 144 transmits a query across APP switch 140, to APP switch 141,and APP switch 141 communicates the query across public network 196 toan OSS/BSS server 164 (described below). After the client gateway 147confirms subscriber and/or billing information, client gateway 147allows set-top box device 114 access to IPTV system 100 content and VODserver 136 content. If client gateway 147 cannot verify subscriberinformation for set-top box 114, such as when set-top box 114 isconnected to a different twisted pair, or when set-top box 114 isstolen, client gateway 147 denies transmissions to and from set-top boxdevice 114 beyond access network 192.

Domain controller 146 communicates with public network 196 via APPswitch 141. Domain controller 146 includes a web portal that allows asubscriber to access IPTV system 100 using a personal computer 198.Domain controller 146 also communicates with a data network 172 that isconnected to a wireless access point 174. Wireless access point 174communicates with a subscriber's wireless device 176 to provide wirelessaccess to IPTV system 100. A non-limiting example of a wireless device176 includes a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, amobile e-mail device, a portable digital video device, another wirelessdevice, or any combination thereof. Wireless device 176 includes adisplay device 178 for displaying information from IPTV system 100.Display device 178 includes a text display, a picture display, a videodisplay or any combination thereof.

Acquisition tier 106 includes an acquisition tier (AQT) switch 150, alive acquisition server 152, a broadcast service 154, and avideo-on-demand importer server 156. AQT switch 150 managescommunication with CF tier 104 and application tier 104 through privatenetwork 194, and with application tier 104 and OM tier 108 throughpublic network 196. AQT switch 150 is coupled to live acquisition server152, and video-on-demand importer server 156. Live acquisition server152 acquires television content from broadcast service 154. Liveacquisition server 152 sends the television content to AQT switch 150for transmission to CF tier 102 via private network 194. The televisioncontent is further encoded at data server 132, and sent to clientequipment 110 via access network 192. Set-top box 114 receives thetelevision content from modem 112, decodes the television content, andtransmits the information to display device 116 according to commandsfrom remote control device 120.

Additionally, VOD importer server 156 receives content from one or morevideo-on-demand sources that are outside IPTV system 100, such as moviestudios and programmers of non-live content. VOD importer server 156transmits the video-on-demand content to AQT switch 150, and AQT switch150 communicates the material to CFT switch 130 via private network 194.The video-on-demand content is stored on VOD server 136. When asubscriber issues a request for VOD content to set-top box 114 throughremote control 118, the request is transmitted over access network 192to VOD server 136 via CFT switch 130. Upon receiving such a request, VODserver 136 retrieves the requested VOD content and transmits the contentto set-top box or 114 across access network 192 via CFT switch 130.

OM tier 108 includes an OM tier (OMT) switch 160, a TV2 server 162, theOSS/BSS server 164, and a simple network management protocol (SNMP)monitor server 166. OMT switch 160 manages the communication between OMtier 108 and public network 196. OMT switch 160 is coupled to TV2 server162, OSS/BSS server 164, and SNMP monitor server 166 that monitorsnetwork devices. TV2 server 162 receives television content from liveacquisition server 152, or video-on-demand content from VOD importerserver 156 through public network 196. The television andvideo-on-demand content is sent by TV2 server 162 to OMT switch 160 andforwarded to a subscriber of IPTV system 100 who accesses public network196 through personal computer 198.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a data analysis system that canproactively direct multiple set-top boxes to analyze various content.The set-top boxes can analyze streaming content in real time, or thecontent can be recorded using unused storage space on the set-top boxes'DVRs for later analysis. The results of the analysis can then bereturned to the data analysis system. For example, a movie databasesystem can include catalogs of content such as movies and televisionshows, and can provide cross-reference information regarding actors,directors, themes, titles, locations, genres, or other informationrelated to the content. The movie database system can send content tounderutilized set-top boxes and direct the set-top boxes to analyze thecontent to find a list of search terms or to otherwise index thecontent. The movie database system can also receive the results of theanalysis and incorporate the results into the catalog. The data analysissystem can also include a recommendation system (described below), thatmakes recommendations to one or more users' set-top boxes, based uponthe results. A non-limiting example of content includes televisionprogramming, movies, VOD content, music, graphic presentations, otherforms of content, or a combination thereof.

An IPTV system 200 similar to IPTV system 100 includes a back-end dataanalysis system 210 that communicates with client equipment 240, 241,and 242 via a network 230. Data analysis system 210 includes processinglogic 212, a memory 214, and a network interface 216. Memory 214 isaccessible to processing logic 212. Network interface 216 is adapted tofacilitate communication between data analysis system 210 and network230. Memory 214 includes a selector module such as a data mining module218, a data storage module 220, and a set-top box module 222. Modules218, 220, and 222 include computer instructions that are readable andexecutable by processing logic 212 to implement various functions ofdata analysis system 210. A non-limiting example of modules 218, 220,and 222 includes different aspects of one or more software applications,operating systems, other computer programs, or a combination thereof. Inanother embodiment (not illustrated), memory 214, and modules 218, 220,and 222 are implemented as hardware logic or a combination of hardwarelogic and computer instructions. Client equipment 240, 241, and 242 caninclude devices of different types, and can communicate with differenttypes of networks including the Internet, television access networks,such as cable, satellite and IPTV access network, cellular networks,Wi-Fi networks, other wireless networks, or a combination thereof.

Data mining module 218 directs data analysis activities in IPTV system200. Thus, data mining module 218 creates a catalog of content itemsthat have already been analyzed, generates rules for gatheringinformation from a content item that has yet to be analyzed, and selectscontent items for analysis and what rules to apply in the analysis. Acontent item can include content information and metadata information.Content information can include audio information and video informationassociated with a television program, a movie, a music file, anothermultimedia file, or a combination thereof. Metadata information caninclude information that characterizes the content information. Forexample, metadata information can include electronic programming guide(EPG) information, other information provided with the content item andthat characterizes the content item, or a combination thereof. Datamining module 218 directs content analyzer module 262 to analyze acontent item as described below. Data mining module 218 can directcontent analyzer module 262 to analyze the content information of acontent item, the metadata information of the content item, or both thecontent information and the metadata information, as described below.

In a particular example, a movie database system can determine to findin-depth information on a popular actor, select television programmingcreated in the timeframe preceding the actor's popularity, and searchcredits information in the television programming to determine if theactor had minor roles in any of the television programming or otherwiseindex the television programming according to the actor's participationin the television programming. For example, credits information caninclude information displayed at the beginning and the end of thecontent item, such as the actors appearing in the content item,production information related to the content item, Internet addressesfor additional information related to the content item, otherinformation, or a combination thereof. Data mining module 218 alsogenerates search terms to search for in the content items andestablishes indexing criteria for the content item. For example, asearch term may include an identification of a person, place, or thingto search for in content items, a correlation between particularpersons, places, things, or combination thereof, a calculation basedupon such an identification or correlation, another search terms, or acombination thereof. An example of an indexing criteria includesindexing by program titles, actor names, director names, productioncompany and producer names, production crew names and positions,production locations and dates, other criteria, or a combinationthereof.

Data storage module 220 stores content items that are in the process ofbeing analyzed for a particular search term or indexing criteria. Forexample, a content item can be stored in data storage module 220 inanticipation of being analyzed for a particular search term or indexingcriteria. Data storage module 220 also stores the results of miningoperations on content items. For example, data storage module 220 caninclude a catalog of content items that include a particular actor orare produced by a particular director.

Set-top box module 222 sends and receives data from set-top boxes inclient equipment 240, 241, and 242. For example, set-top box module 222can direct set-top boxes, as described below, in client equipment 240,241, and 242 to record and display content items, provide messagingservices, process IPTV data and VOD material. Set-top box module 222also receives requests from the set-top boxes for specific content itemsto be sent to client equipment 240, 241, and 242 at the request of auser. Further, set-top box module 222 determines if a DVR on aparticular client equipment 240, 241, or 242 has unused content storagespace or content storage space that is reserved for the use of dataanalysis system 210.

Client equipment 240 includes a set-top box 250 and a display device270. Client equipment 240 communicates with IPTV system 200 via network230. Set-top box 250 includes processing logic 252, a memory 254, anetwork interface 256, and a DVR 264. Memory 254 is accessible toprocessing logic 252. Network interface 256 is adapted to facilitatecommunication between client equipment 240 and network 230. Memory 254includes an input module 258, a record module 260, and a contentanalyzer module 262. Modules 258, 260, and 262 can be implemented ascomputer instructions that are readable and executable by processinglogic 252, as hardware logic, or as a combination thereof.

Input module 258 receives and processes inputs from a user or fromset-top box module 222. For example, input module 258 can receive aninput corresponding to a content item search or indexing function, suchas an input requesting recurrent searching and specifying one or morecontent item search terms or indexing criteria. In another example,input module 222 can receive an input specifying one or more changes incontent item search terms or indexing criteria, an input indicating arequest to discontinue recurrent searching or indexing, an inputindicating that content item search terms or indexing criteria are to bedeleted, or any combination thereof.

Further, input module 258 receives data from set-top box module 222indicating that set-top box 250 is to record one or more content itemson DVR 264. Thus, for example, record module 260 can record the contentitems on DVR 264 or instruct an external DVR (not illustrated) to recordthe content items. In another example, record module 260 can send thecontent items to display device 270.

Content analyzer module 262 analyzes a content item received by set-topbox 250. For example, content analyzer module 262 can analyze a streamof the content item in real time as it is received by set-top box 250,analyze the content item after the content item has been recorded on DVR264, or a combination thereof. Content analyzer module 262 also performsa variety of analysis functions on the content item. For example,content analyzer module 262 can analyze metadata information, contentinformation, or both. associated with the content item. Content analyzermodule 262 can analyze an audio track of the content information using aspeech-to-text algorithm, analyze a closed captioning track or a videotrack of the content information using a screen-to-text algorithm, or acombination thereof. In a further example, a video track can be analyzedto gather credits information using a screen-to-text algorithm.

In the illustrated embodiment, data mining module 218 determines that acontent item is to be analyzed and directs set-top box module 222 todetermine if client equipment 240, 241, or 242 is available to analyzethe content item. For example, set-top box module 222 can send a queryto set-top box 250. There, input module 258 can determine if DVR 264 hasavailable storage space and if content analyzer module 262 is availableto analyze content items. If DVR 264 has available storage space andcontent analyzer module 262 is available to analyze content items, theninput module 258 can respond to the query from set-top box module 222,indicating that set-top box 250 is available to analyze the contentitem.

Further, data mining module 218 directs set-top box module 222 toinitiate content analysis in client equipment 240, 241, or 242. Forexample, set-top box module 222 can direct set-top box 250 to analyze acontent item. Set-top box 250 can then perform a real time analysis on astream of the content item, or record the content item on DVR 264 forlater analysis, as described above. If the content item is recorded onDVR 246, then set-top box module 222 can direct set-top box 250 to erasethe content item from DVR 246 when the analysis is completed. Datamining module 218 also receives the results of an analysis of a contentitem from client equipment 240, 241, or 242, and stores the results indata storage module 220. For example, content analyzer module 262 cansend the result of the analysis of the content item to data analysissystem 210, and data mining module 218 can store the result in datastorage module 220.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate other embodiments of IPTV systems in which arecommendation system provides recommendations related to a service. Therecommendation system can select content to analyze and can direct aset-top box to analyze the content item in order to make recommendationsbased upon a wider range of content items. The set-top boxes can analyzea stream of the content in real time, or the content can be recordedusing unused storage space on the set-top boxes' DVRs for lateranalysis. The results of the analysis can then be returned to therecommendation system. For example, a user may identify an interest in aparticular music artist. The recommendation system can identify a largenumber of content items that relate to music, but that may lack aspecific reference to the music artist in metadata information. Therecommendation system can send the content items to the user's set-topbox, and the set-top box can analyze the content items for references tothe music artist. If a particular content item includes a reference tothe music artist, the set-top box can identify the content item to therecommendation system, and the recommendation system can recommend thecontent item to the user. For example, the recommendation system mayfind no reference to the particular music artist in the metadatainformation describing a music news program, but can proactively analyzethe music news program to determine if the particular music artist ismentioned. If the particular music artist is mentioned in the music newsprogram, the recommendation system can record the music news program andrecommend the music news program to the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an IPTV system 300 similarto IPTV system 200 with a back-end recommendation system 310 thatcommunicates with client equipment 240 via a network 330. Recommendationsystem 310 includes processing logic 312, a memory 314, and a networkinterface 316. Memory 314 is accessible to processing logic 312. Networkinterface 316 is adapted to facilitate communication betweenrecommendation system 310 and network 330. Memory 314 includes a profilemodule 318, a profile storage module 320, a selector module such as arecommendation engine 322, and a set-top box module 324. Modules 318,320, 322, and 324 can be implemented as computer instructions that arereadable and executable by processing logic 312, as hardware logic, oras a combination thereof. Recommendation system 310 communicates withone or more sets of client equipment including client equipment 240. Theclient equipment can include devices of different types, and cancommunicate with different types of networks including the Internet,television access networks, such as cable, satellite and IPTV accessnetworks, cellular networks, Wi-Fi networks, other wireless networks, ora combination thereof.

Profile module 318 determines to create a personalization profile for asubscriber to a service. For example, profile module 318 can create thepersonalization profile in response to a subscriber registering anaccount with a service provider, in response to the subscriberconfiguring preferences associated with the account via client equipment240, in response to the subscriber's use of the service via clientequipment 240, in response to a subscriber request to reset or otherwisealter a current profile, or in response to another event associated withthe subscriber. The personalization profile is stored in profile storagemodule 320.

Further, profile module 318 receives an identification of an individual,such as another IPTV service subscriber, a celebrity, another realperson or a fictional character. The identification can be received fromclient equipment 240 or from another network element communicating withthe recommendation system, such as a web server that provides an onlinesite associated with an online service to client equipment 240. Profilemodule 318 also retrieves a profile associated with the identifiedindividual from profile storage module 320 or from an external source.

Also, profile module 318 creates a personalization profile associatedwith the subscriber and populates the personalization profile withinformation included in the profile of the identified individual. Theinformation can include demographic information such as age, income, orlocation; personal interest information such as favorite channels orfavorite programming; historical information such as purchasing history,television viewing history, or search history; other information; or anycombination thereof. In one embodiment, profile module 318 provides aplurality of selectable identifications via a graphical user interface(GUI) at client equipment 240. For example, profile module 318 canreceive a selection of one of the plurality of selectableidentifications and create a personalization profile associated with thesubscriber, where the created personalization profile is populated withinformation included in the profile of the identified individual.

In addition, profile module 318 updates the personalization profilebased on at least one activity of the subscriber with respect to theservice. For example, profile module 318 can update the personalizationprofile based on historical information related to subscriber activitywith respect to the service. In another example, the personalizationprofile of an online retail service subscriber can be updated based onsubscriber interaction with an online retail site via client equipment240 or another subscriber device, such as a selection of a product,non-selection of a product, purchase of a product, non-purchase of aproduct, search query, or other subscriber activity.

Recommendation engine 322 provides one or more recommendations. Forexample, recommendation engine 322 can recommend video content items,music content items, one or more video channels, one or more musicchannels, other content items, or a combination thereof, to thesubscriber when the subscriber activates set-top box 250, views anelectronic program guide, selects a channel, purchases pay-per-viewcontent items, purchases VOD content items, interacts with advertisingcontent items, performs another action with respect to a televisionservice, or a combination thereof. In another example, recommendationengine 322 can recommend one or more products when the subscriber visitsan online retail site, views a product at the site, selects a product atthe site, purchases a product at the site, searches for a product at thesite, or any combination thereof.

Further, recommendation engine 322 generates an analysis request basedon the personalization profile of the subscriber stored in profilestorage module 320. Hence, at least one first recommendation caninitially be based on information obtained from the profile of theidentified individual, whereas at least one other recommendation can bebased on an updated personalization profile of the subscriber. Therecommendations can be sent to client equipment 240. Set-top box module324 is similar to set-top box module 222, sending and receiving datafrom set-top box 250.

In the illustrated embodiment, recommendation module 322 selects acontent item, and generates an analysis request to analyze the contentitem based on the information in the personalization profile of thesubscriber. Further, recommendation engine 322 directs set-top boxmodule 324 to initiate content analysis in client equipment 240. Forexample, set-top box module 324 can direct set-top box 250 to analyze acontent item. Set-top box 250 can then perform a real time analysis on astream of the content item, or record the content item on DVR 264 oflater analysis, as described above.

Further, recommendation module 322 receives the results of an analysisof a content item from client equipment 240, and determines if thecontent item includes information that matches the personalizationprofile of the subscriber. If so, recommendation module 322 alsorecommends the content item to the subscriber, and modifies thepersonalization profile stored in profile storage module 320.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an IPTV system 400similar to IPTV system 300 with a recommendation system implemented atclient equipment 410 to provide recommendation related to a service, andthat communicates with an IPTV network 470 via a network 460. Clientequipment 410 includes a set-top box 420, and a display device 450.Set-top box 420 includes processing logic 422, a memory 424, a networkinterface 426, and a DVR 440. Memory 424 is accessible to processinglogic 422. Network interface 426 is adapted to facilitate communicationbetween client equipment 410 and network 460. Memory 424 includes arecord module 428, a content analyzer module 430, a profile module 432,a profile storage module 434, and a selector module such as arecommendation engine 436. Modules 428, 430, 432, 434, and 436 can beimplemented as computer instructions that are readable and executable byprocessing logic 422, as hardware logic, or as a combination thereof.

Record module 428 records content items on DVR 440 or instructs anexternal DVR (not illustrated) to record the content items. In anotherexample, record module 428 can send the content items from DVR 440 todisplay device 450. Content analyzer module 430 analyzes content itemsreceived by set-top box 420.

Profile module 432 determines to create a personalization profile for asubscriber to a service. The personalization profile is stored inprofile storage module 434. Profile module 432 also receives anidentification of an individual, and retrieves a profile associated withthe identified individual from profile storage module 434. Further,profile module 432 creates or updates a personalization profileassociated with the subscriber and populates the personalization profilewith information included in the profile of the identified individual.Recommendation engine 436 provides one or more recommendations.Recommendation engine 436 also generates the recommendation(s) based onthe personalization profile of the subscriber stored in profile storagemodule 434.

In the illustrated embodiment, recommendation module 436 selects acontent time and generates an analysis request to analyze the contentitem based on the information in the personalization profile of thesubscriber. Further, recommendation engine 436 initiates contentanalysis in set-top box 420. For example, set-top box 420 can perform areal time analysis on a stream of the content item, or record thecontent item on DVR 440 of later analysis. Recommendation module 436also receives the results of an analysis of a content item, anddetermines if the content item includes information that matches thepersonalization profile of the subscriber. If so, recommendation module436 recommends the content item to the subscriber, and modifies thepersonalization profile stored in profile storage module 432.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a content analysis system500, including processing logic 510 and a content analyzer 520 similarto content analyzer module 262. Content analyzer 520 includes a contentdecompiler module 522, a metadata analyzer module 524, an analysiscompiler module 526, a video capture module 528, a video-to-textconverter module 530, a text interpreter module 532, and aspeech-to-text converter module 534. Content analyzer 520 is accessibleto processing logic 510. Modules 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, and 534can be implemented as computer instructions that are readable andexecutable by processing logic 510, as hardware logic, or as acombination thereof.

Content decompiler module 522 receives a content item signal 544 fromprocessing logic 510, separates metadata information in content itemsignal 544 into a metadata signal 546, and separates content informationin content item signal 544 into a video signal 550, and an audio signal558. For example, processing logic 510 can receive a content item signal542 from a data analysis system, a recommendation system, a DVR, anothercontent signal source, or a combination thereof. In a further example,content decompiler module 522 can receive content item signal 544 andseparate metadata signal 546 from video signal 550 and from audio signal558. Content decompiler module 522 also sends the separated metadatasignal 546, video signal 550, and audio signal 558 to separate metadataanalysis, video analysis, and audio analysis paths, as described below.The metadata analysis path includes metadata analyzer module 524 andanalysis compiler 528. The video analysis path includes screen capturemodule 528, screen-to-text converter module 530, text interpreter module532 and analysis compiler 528. The audio analysis path includesspeech-to-text converter 534, text interpreter module 532 and analysiscompiler 528.

Metadata analyzer module 524 receives metadata signal 546 from contentdecompiler 522 and analyzes the metadata information contained inmetadata signal 546. For example, metadata analyzer module 524 canperform a variety of analysis functions on metadata signal 546,including, for example, analyzing metadata signal 546 for a search termor indexing criteria provided by a data analysis system, analyzing for aselection of identifications from a personalization profile in arecommendation system, analyzing according to another method ofanalysis, or a combination thereof. Further, metadata analyzer module524 sends a result 548 from the various types of analysis done bymetadata analyzer module 524 to analysis compiler 528.

Screen capture module 528 receives video signal 550 from contentdecompiler 522, and generates a screen capture 552 of video signal 550.For example, screen capture module 528 can receive video signal 550associated with content item signal 544 and capture a screenshot of thevideo signal. In particular, for example, the frame can include closedcaptioning text that is running concurrently with the visual informationdisplayed in the content item, credits information that is displayed aspart of content item signal 544, other visual information, or acombination thereof. Further, screen capture module 528 sends screencapture 552 to screen-to-text converter module 530.

Screen-to-text converter module 530 receives screen capture 552 fromscreen capture module 528, evaluates screen capture 552 to determine ifany text information is included in the visual information, and convertsany text information from the visual information into a text readout554. For example, screen-to-text converter module 530 can receive screencapture 552 from content item signal 544. Further, screen-to-textconverter module 530 can determine that screen capture 552 does notinclude closed captioning text, credits text, other text, or acombination thereof, and can then evaluate a next screen capture.Alternately, screen-to-text converter module 530 can determine thatscreen capture 552 includes closed captioning text, credits text, othertext, or a combination thereof, and can then convert the textinformation into text readout 554. Screen-to-text converter module 530also sends text readout 554 to text interpreter module 532.

Speech-to-text converter module 534 receives audio signal 558 fromcontent decompiler 522, evaluates the audio signal to determine if anyspoken information is included in the audio information, and convertsany spoken information from the audio information into a text readout560. For example, speech-to-text converter module 534 can receive audiosignal 558 from content item signal 544. Further, speech-to-textconverter module 534 can determine that audio signal 558 includes spokeninformation, and can then convert the spoken information into textreadout 560. Speech-to-text converter module 534 also sends text readout560 to text interpreter module 532.

Text interpreter module 532 receives the text readout 554 fromscreen-to-text converter 530 and text readout 560 from speech-to-textconverter 534. Further, text interpreter module 532 analyzes textreadouts 554 and 560. For example, text interpreter module 532 canperform a variety of analysis functions on text readouts 554 and 560,including, for example, analyzing for a search term or indexing criteriaprovided by a data analysis system, analyzing for a selection ofidentifications from a personalization profile in a recommendationsystem, analyzing according to another method of analysis, or acombination thereof. Text interpreter module 532 also sends a result 556from the various types of analysis done by text interpreter module 532to analysis compiler 528.

Analysis compiler module 526 receives result 548 from metadata analyzermodule 524 and receives result 556 from text interpreter module 532.Further, analysis compiler module 526 combines results 548 and 556 intoan analyzer output 562. For example, analysis compiler module 526 canorganize results 548 and 556 into a list, a table, a catalog, anotherorganization structure, or a combination thereof. Analysis compilermodule 526 also sends analyzer output 562 to processing logic 510.Processing logic 510 operates to receive analyzer output 562, and tooutput an analysis 564. For example, analysis 564 can be sent to a dataanalysis system, a recommendation system, a DVR, another consumer ofanalysis 564, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method ofproactively recording to a DVR for data analysis. The method starts inblock 602, and a content item is selected for analysis in block 604. Forexample, data analysis system 210 can select a particular content itemfor analysis for data analysis purposes. In another example,recommendation system 310 or recommendation engine 436 can select aparticular content item for analysis for potential inclusion in thepersonalization profile. The content item is sent to a set-top box inblock 606. For example, data analysis system 210, having determined thatclient equipment 240 is available to perform an analysis, can send theparticular content item to set-top box 250 for analysis. In anotherexample, recommendation system 310 can send the particular content itemto set-top box 250, or recommendation engine 436 can have IPTV network470 sent the particular content item to set-top box 420. In an optionalstep of the method, the content is recorded on a DVR associated with theset-top box in block 608. For example, the particular content item canbe recorded to DVR 264, DVR 440, or to an externally attached DVR.

The content item is analyzed in block 610. In a particular embodiment,where the optional step of block 608 is omitted, a stream of the contentitem is analyzed in real time. In another embodiment, where the optionalstep of block 608 is performed, a stream of the content item can beanalyzed in real time, the content item can be analyzed in apost-recording operation, or a combination thereof. For example, whetherthe analysis is real time, post-recording, or a combination, contentanalyzer 262 or 430 can perform an analysis of the particular contentitem. In a further example, content analyzers 262 and 430 can analyzemetadata information, an audio track, or a video track for pertinentinformation.

A decision is made as to whether or not to keep the content item for auser to view in decision block 612. If so, the “YES” branch of decisionblock 612 is taken, the content item is saved for the user in block 614,and the method ends in block 618. For example, recommendation system 310or recommendation engine 436 can determine that the particular contentitem might be of interest to the user based upon the user'spersonalization profile and the results of the analysis, and candetermine to save the particular content item. In this case, where theoptional step of block 608 is omitted, recommendation system 310 orrecommendation engine 436 can record the particular content item on DVR264 or DVR 440. Otherwise, where the optional step of block 608 isperformed, recommendation system 310 or recommendation engine 436 canleave the content item as recorded on DVR 264 or DVR 440. If a decisionis made as to not keep the content item for a user to view, the “NO”branch of decision block 612 is taken, and where the optional step ofblock 608 is omitted, then the method ends in block 618. Otherwise,where the optional step of block 608 is performed, the content item iserased from the DVR in block 616, and the method ends in block 618.

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system 700in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.Computer system 700 includes a set of instructions that can be executedto cause computer system 700 to perform any one or more of the methodsor computer based functions disclosed herein. Computer system 700 canoperate as a standalone device or can be connected via a network toother computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, computer system 700 operates in the capacityof a server or as a client computer in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment. Computer system 700 can also beimplemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-linetelephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile machine, aprinter, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance, a networkrouter, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable of executing aset of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to betaken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, computer system 700is implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video ordata communication. Further, while computer system 700 is illustrated asa single system, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions.

Computer system 700 includes a processor 702 such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both.Moreover, computer system 700 includes a main memory 704 and a staticmemory 706 that communicate with each other via a bus 708. Computersystem 700 further includes a video display unit 710, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flatpanel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, computer system 700 includes an input device 712, such asa keyboard, and a cursor control device 714, such as a mouse. Computersystem 700 also includes a disk drive unit 716, a signal generationdevice 718, such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interfacedevice 720.

In a particular embodiment, disk drive unit 716 includes acomputer-readable medium 722 in which one or more sets of instructions724 are embedded. Instructions 724 embody one or more of the methods orlogic as described herein. In a particular embodiment, instructions 724reside completely, or at least partially, within main memory 704, staticmemory 706, and/or within processor 702 during execution by computersystem 700. Main memory 704 and processor 702 also includecomputer-readable media. Network interface device 720 providesconnectivity to a network 726 such as a wide area network (WAN), a localarea network (LAN), or other network. The present disclosurecontemplates a computer-readable medium that includes instructions 724or receives and executes instructions 724 responsive to a propagatedsignal, so that a device connected to network 726 can communicate voice,video or data over network 726. Further, instructions 724 can betransmitted or received by network 726 via network interface device 720.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations such asapplication specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can be constructed to implement one or more ofthe methods described herein. Applications that include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments describedherein can implement functions using two or more specific interconnectedhardware modules or devices with related control and data signals thatcan be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions ofan application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the presentsystem encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein can be implemented by software code executableby a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment,implementations can include distributed processing, component/objectdistributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtualcomputer system processing can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods or functionality as described herein.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives can be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions can be stored.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments can be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments can be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changescan be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be usedto interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition,in the foregoing Detailed Description of the Drawings, various featuresmay be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodimentsrequire more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may bedirected to less than all of the features of any of the disclosedembodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into theDetailed Description of the Drawings, with each claim standing on itsown as defining separately claimed subject matter.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present disclosed subject matter. Thus, tothe maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosedsubject matter is to be determined by the broadest permissibleinterpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shallnot be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) systemcomprising a selector module adapted to: select a content item basedupon metadata information associated with the content item; send thecontent item to a first set-top box to: record the content item; andanalyze video information associated with the content item using a videointerpretation algorithm to obtain credits information associated withthe content item; and receive the credits information from the firstset-top box.
 2. The IPTV system of claim 1, wherein the selector moduleis further adapted to send an instruction to the first set-top box basedupon the credits information, wherein, in response to receiving theinstruction, the first set-top box erases the content item.
 3. The IPTVsystem of claim 2, wherein the selector module includes a data miningmodule adapted to send the instruction to the first set-top box inresponse to receiving the credits information.
 4. The IPTV system ofclaim 2, wherein the selector module comprises a recommendation moduleadapted to: in response to receiving the credits information, make afirst determination that the credits information includes a search term;and in response to making the first determination, send a recommendationto a user of a second set-top box to view the content item.
 5. The IPTVsystem of claim 4, wherein the recommendation module is further adaptedto: in response to receiving the credits information, make a seconddetermination that the credits information does not include the searchterm; and in response to making the second determination, send theinstruction to the first set-top box.
 6. The IPTV system of claim 1,wherein the credits information is displayed at the beginning or at theend of the content item.
 7. A set-top box comprising: a networkinterface adapted to receive a content item from an Internet Protocoltelevision (IPTV) network; a recording device adapted to record thecontent item; and an analyzer module adapted to: receive the contentitem from the recording device; analyze video information associatedwith the content item using a video interpretation algorithm to obtaincredits information associated with the content item; and send thecredits information to a selector module on the IPTV network.
 8. Theset-top box of claim 7, wherein: a selection of the content item is madeby the selector module based upon metadata information associated withthe content item; and the analyzer module is further adapted to: receivean instruction from the selector module based upon the creditsinformation; and in response to receiving the instruction, erase thecontent item from the recording device.
 9. The set-top box of claim 8,wherein the selector module comprises a data analysis module associatedwith the IPTV network, the selector module operable to send theinstruction in response to receiving the credits information.
 10. Theset-top box of claim 6, wherein a selection of the content item is madeby a recommendation module adapted to: make a first determination thatthe credits information includes a search term; and in response tomaking the first determination, make a recommendation to view thecontent item to a user of the set-top box.
 11. The set-top box of claim10, wherein the recommendation module is further adapted to: make asecond determination that the credits information does not include thesearch term; and in response to making the second determination, sendthe instruction to the analyzer module.
 12. The set-top box of claim 7,wherein the credits information is displayed at the beginning of thecontent item.
 13. The set-top box of claim 7, wherein the creditsinformation is displayed at the end of the content item.
 14. A methodcomprising: sending a content item to a set-top box from an InternetProtocol television (IPTV) network; directing the set-top box to recordthe content item on a recording device of the set-top box; directing theset-top box to analyze video information associated with the contentitem using a video interpretation algorithm to obtain creditsinformation associated with the content item; and receiving the creditsinformation from the set-top box.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: before sending the content item, selecting the content itemat a selector module of the IPTV network based upon metadata informationassociated with the content item; and sending an instruction to theset-top box to erase the content item from the recording device.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein: the selector module comprises a dataanalysis module associated with the IPTV network; and the instruction issent from the data analysis module in response to receiving the creditsinformation.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: beforesending the content item, selecting the content item at a recommendationmodule of the IPTV network; determining at the recommendation modulethat the credits information includes a search term; and in response todetermining that the credits information includes the search term,sending a recommendation to view the content item to a user of theset-top box.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: determiningat the recommendation module that the credits information does notinclude the search term; and in response to determining that the creditsinformation does not include the search term, sending the instruction tothe set-top box.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the set-top boxincludes the recommendation module.
 20. The method of claim 14, whereinthe credits information is displayed at the beginning or at the end ofthe content item.